Liverpool ‘target Benfica’s Lazar Markovic’ with Luis Suarez windfall

Liverpool boss Brendan Rodgers is already planning for life without Luis Suarez as he lines up a move for long-term target Lazar Markovic.

Reds striker Suarez has been sent home from the World Cup in disgrace after biting Italy’s Girogio Chiellini on Tuesday and, following disciplinary proceedings from Fifa, will now miss Liverpool’s opening 13 games of the season.

But with Barcelona still showing an interest in the controversial Uruguayan, Liverpool are ready to cut ties if the Catalan giants stump up the £80m asking price.

And with Adam Lallana’s arrival from Southampton set to be confirmed in the coming days, Rodgers is already planning how to spend the windfall from Suarez’s departure, with winger Markovic topping his list of targets.

Lazar Markovic has a £20m buy-out clause (Picture: AP)

The Reds boss has been keen on Markovic for some time and is now set to meet Benfica’s £20m buy-out clause for the Serbian.

The 20-year-old would help reshape Liverpool’s attack, with Barcelona’s Alexis Sanchez also possibly on his way to Anfield as part of the Suarez deal.